San Juanico Bridge

Pagkatapos niyang sabihin iyon, he immediately left the kitchen. I don’t honestly know what to feel. His words are so gentle. Sa sobrang banayad imbes na mainsulto sa narinig, napapangiti ako. Wala sa sariling hinawakan ko ang magkabilang pisngi. I should embrace myself. Hindi ako pwedeng makaramdam ng ganito. Para akong elementary na napansin ng crush!

Tinapik-tapik ko ang mukha. Wake up btch! Hindi mo pwedeng pagnasaan ang pinsan mo.

My gosh! This is so wrong, so fvcking wrong.

Hindi pa nga ako nag-iisang araw rito, ito na ang mararamdaman ko. What more in the following days?  Napatingin ako sa dalawang sandwhich sa hapag. If I am not mistaken, it’s chicken sandwich. I bite my lip, sa lahat ng sandwich sa mundo, why my favorite?

Napailing kong kinuha ang isa at marahang kumagat. I closed my eyes upon tasting the food. Parang mas lalo kong naging paborito ang sandwich na ‘to. Agad kong linantakan ang pagkain. Even if I’m not hungry at all.

Pagkatapos, I hurriedly went to the garden. This will be my usual routine. Wala naman akong magagawa for now, besides wala pa akong friends. Sa susunod na linggo pa ang pasukan.
Ngumiti ako sa nakikita. Pinili kong tumayo nalang instead of sitting. Nakakapagod rin kaya umupo.

Kumusta na kaya sila mommy? I’m sure nasa Bicol na sila sa mga oras na ito. I need to call them for assurance.
Agad kong tinawagan ang numero niya. Kumunot ang noo ko nang walang sumagot. I tried again for the second time, and no one answered.

Nagsisimula na akong mag-alala. Yes, this sometimes happen. Pero iba ngayon eh, they are too far away. They’re out of my reach. And that is what’s making me feel this way.
I sighed and decided to text her nalang.

To: Mommy💛

Mom, call me when you read this.

Napailing akong naupo. This is one of the conflicts for being away with your parents. Hindi mo alam kung ano ang nangyayari sa kanila. Being the daughter, halos himatayin ka sa pag-alala. But, I trust them. I know nothing’s wrong.

Nanatili ako doon sa garden hanggang magdilim. Pagpasok ko sa bahay, tito and tita were in the living room.

"Good evening tito, tita." I smiled at them.

"Good evening too, hija." Tita answered, ngumiti lang sa akin si tito.

"If you have concerns and problems, you inform us okay? We are just here." I nodded at her.

"Nakita mo na si Kuya Drake mo?" natigilan ako sa naging tanong ni tito.

I don’t know what to answer. Hindi pa kami ganoong nag-uusap ni kuya. Kahit sinabi niyang huwag ko na siyang tawaging kuya, hindi ko pa rin magawa. It’s still kinda awkward in my side. Sa katunayan, palagi itong umaalis kahit kasisimula palang ng usapan. Isa pa, kadadating ko lang.

"Yes po tito, we’ve already meet." I answered politely. He nods his head in response.

"Why don’t you join us? Come here this is fun!" Nagtataka kong sinilip kung ano ang ginagawa nila. I immediately shook my head. They’re playing chess. Wala akong alam diyan.

I remember one time, naglalaro rin sila mommy at daddy. Then ako iyong pumalit kay daddy kasi natalo siya, only to be laughed at by my mother.
Paano ba naman, I will always move a piece kahit mali ang moves. Tapos tawa sila ng tawa, pinagkakaisahan ba naman ako.

I smiled lightly remembering those moments. That’s one of the unforgettable memories with them.

Uh.. I miss them so much.

"I don’t know how to play chess eh." Sagot ko, tumawa si tito

"Your mother was like that during our times. But later, she become hustler in this game."

Malawak akong napangiti. Yeah, she’s indeed a legend in the game of chess. Sadyang pinagkaitan ako sa larangan iyon.

"And you’re the only one who doesn’t know how to play." Tita said with a chuckle.

"You never know, honey. Papunta ka palang, pabalik na ako." Tito teased, I laughed.

"Uhuh? It’s true, you don’t even know what is a rook!" Napailing ako sa pagtatalo nila.

I should excused myself. "Tito, tita, I’ll go ahead." I interrupted them. Ngumiti silang dalawa sa akin bago tumango.

"Ipapatawag ka nalang namin kay yaya once the dinner is ready.” I smiled at tita before ascending the stairs.

Humiga ako sa malambot kong kama. Hindi ko maiwasang maalala ang nangyari kanina sa kusina. What is wrong with him? Bakit siya nagsasalita ng gano'n? And his moves, it's somewhat freak me out whenever he’s close to me. Hindi nagiging normal ang tibok ng puso ko. That all I can think about is his fcking lips! Ano ba talaga ang nangyayari sa akin?

I am not like this naman to other boys I’ve meet back in Bicol. I never fantasize their lips no matter how kissable it is. Hindi ako natutulala kahit gaano pa ka pogi ang kaharap ko. Na tipong kamukha ni Lee Min-Ho
Bumuntonghininga ako at tumagilid ng higa. I tightly hug my pillow. I think it is better if I would avoid him.  Right, dapat ko nalang siyang layuan. But, know that’ll be too hard since we're living under the same roof.

Then my mind drifted to my parents. I sat down and get my cellphone. Nakasandal ako sa headboard ng kama. I don’t know kung nabasa na ni mommy ang text. Hopefully nabasa na niya. I am damn worried.

Pero bumagsak ang balikat ko ng walang text ang dumating. I tried to call her but the line was off. Napasabunot ako sa sariling buhok.

Please mom, dad, be okay.

I silently prayed. Humiga ulit ako habang mariin ang titig sa telepono. Umaasang biglang mag text si mommy. Nakatulugan ko ang paghihintay, dahil ng magising ako may araw na. I immediately check my phone. Laking pasasalamt ko ng may text galing kay mommy.

From: Mommy💛

We arrived safely honey and sorry for the late reply. We are perfectly breathing fine here. We miss you already.

I was glad walang nangyaring masama. Agad ko siyang tinawagan and I automatically smiled  hearing her voice. Tumagal ng halos isang oras ang naging pag-uusap namin. I told her what I’ve done yesterday minus the kitchen accident. Na-kwento rin niyang walang kuryente sa Bicol nang dumating sila. And the battery of her phone was dead. I remember, tinago pala iyon ni daddy.

After the call, I immediately took a shower. Nagsuot ako ng simpleng shorts and plain gray shirt. I am like this at home.

"Why did you skip the dinner last night?" Napapitlag ako sa biglang pagsasalita ni Kuya Drake. I didn’t know na magkatabi pala ang kwarto namin.

"G-Good morning, Kuya." I greeted  without looking at his eyes. Nakahawak pa rin ako sa door handle ng kwarto ko.

"Kuya huh?" He mocked.

I pressed my lips together. Anong problema niya sa pagtawag ko sa kaniya ng Kuya?

"Aren’t you hungry?" Maya-maya ay tanong niya.

Umawang ang labi ko bago siya balingan ng tingin. Nag-alala siyang nakadungaw sa akin. And here I thought galit siya sa pagtawag ko sa   sa kaniya ng kuya. Which he hated the most. His voice was still clear in my mind. Na hindi ko na raw siya dapat respetuhin.

"N-No po, hindi pa ako nagugutom."
I answered, even if my stomach grumble in protest. Napayuko ako, I’m sure narinig niya iyon. His chuckle can testify to that.

"Hmm, you are not hungry, I see."

I hesitantly look at him. May mapaglarong ngisi sa kaniyang labi. Both of his hands were crossed in his chest. Nakasandal siya sa kaniyang pintuan.

"Ahm, A bit. Yeah, yeah, I’m hungry a little." Pinakita ko sa kaniya ang daliri ko, portraying the little sign. This time, he laughed. Nakatitig lang ako sa mukha niyang nakatawa.

Damn! Malakas nga ang tama ko. I need to fcking stay away from him.

I am not dumb. Alam ko kung ano ang nararamdaman ko. And I should stop these nonsense feeling asap! Hindi ito pwede.. maling mali.

"Come, ipagluluto kita." Natigilan ako sa narinig. He will cook for me? May mga maids naman dito ah, and I know nakapagluto na sila.

I look at him at shook my head. I should be avoiding him right? And him cooking breakfast for me is not an option.

I bite my lip. "No need na po k-kuya, I’m sure nakapagluto na ang mga maids." Alanganing sabi ko. Kumunot ang noo niya sa naging tugon ko.

"Yeah, but I want to cook something for you." Diretsong sambit niya. Umiling-iling ako. Ano ba talaga itong ginagawa niya?

But, in second thought this is just normal. Magpinsan naman kami, hindi masamang ipagluto niya ako. Besides may mga magpinsan nag share ng plate while eating. Ako lang talaga ang may problema.

Sino ba naman ang hindi? The way his words lingered in my head, and his moves. Pero baka, this is just his usual self. Sadyang maalaga lang siya sa mga kapamilya. Especially, na may pinagsamahan kami noong kabataan namin.

"Don’t bother na, I’m good with whatever food will be served." I smiled at him before walking. Laking pasasalamat ko ng hindi siya sumunod.

"Good morning po." I greeted them ng madaan ko sila, as usual sa living room. They’re having their coffee and good thing they’re not playing chess. Nagbabasa si tito ng magazine.

"Good morning to you hija, how was your sleep?" Tita asked.

"It’s fine po," I shortly answered.

"Hindi ka nakapaghapunan kagabi. Sabi ni yaya tulog ka na raw." Dagdag niya, tumango ako.

"I’m sorry po." I said, lowering my head.

She chuckled. "Don’t do that again okay? Masama ang hindi pagkain ng gabi. You should take care of yourself." Napangiti ako. Even wala rito si mommy, at least I have her.

"Opo,"

She smiled. "Eat your breakfast na. I heared 'D, will take you to San Juanico Bridge."

Saglit akong natigilan sa narinig. San Juanico bridge? Bakit ako hindi alam na may plano pala siya?

Ito ba ang sinasabing lalayuan?

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A/N: Feel free to correct me if ever you'll notice a grammatical error or wrong spelling. I am willing to learn.

Thank you po!